Facsimile apparatus with automatic answering telephone function, and communication method in said apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a facsimile apparatus equipped with an automatic answering telephone function, as well as a communication method in this apparatus. When a tone signal from a line is detected after the start of storage of a voice message in response to an incoming call, the voice message presently being recorded is not counted as a received message and a voice message received next is stored in the area in which storage has just been performed. Further, when a DTFM signal, which is a control signal of the automatic answering telephone, is detected, a transition is made to facsimile communication in response to a CNG signal. Thus, erroneous operation in facsimile communication due to a CNG signal recorded in the automatic answering telephone is prevented.

This application is a division of application No. 08/479,860, filed onJun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,234, which is a continuation ofapplication No. 08/266,106 filed Jun. 27, 1994, now abandoned, which wasa continuation of application No. 07/937,675 filed Sep. 1, 1992, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an automaticanswering telephone function, in which the apparatus has an automaticanswering telephone connected thereto and is capable of changing overautomatically between the facsimile mode and the automatic answeringtelephone. The invention further relates to a communication method inthis apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art

An example of a conventional facsimile communication apparatus to whichan automatic answering telephone set is connected is one having anautomatic changeover function (TEL/FAX automatic changeover function)for changing over between a telephone mode and a facsimile modeautomatically. An NCU (network control unit) in an apparatus of thiskind is constructed as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, terminals L1 and L2are connected to a line N. An automatic answering telephone 16 isconnected to terminals T1 and T2. The automatic answering telephone 16automatically answers a call signal from the line N. If the callingparty is a human being, a voice message from this party is recorded.When the calling party is a facsimile machine, a CNG signal sent by thefacsimile machine of the calling party enters a CNG detector 7 through acapacitor 5 and a transformer 6. The CNG detector 7 outputs a CNGdetection signal (CNGDET) when it detects the CNG signal. When theCNGDET signal is outputted, the control unit performs automaticcommunication by changing over a CML relay 1 from the side of T1, T2 tothe side of a modem. Thus, when the CNG signal is detected on the lineafter the automatic answering telephone has answered automatically, theCML relay 1 is changed over, thereby realizing automatic changeoverbetween the automatic answering telephone and the facsimile mode.

More specifically, when there is an incoming call from the line in astate in which the automatic answering telephone has been set to theautomatic answering mode in the facsimile communication apparatus ofthis type, first the automatic answering telephone is started and theline is connected to the side of the automatic answering telephone toplayback a pre-recorded answer message (an outgoing message, alsoreferred to as an "OGM") and send this message to the calling side. Inparallel with this operation, the signal received from the line ismonitored. When the CNG signal (1100 Hz) is detected, as mentionedabove, it is determined that the calling side is a facsimile machine andthe line is changed over from the side of the automatic answeringtelephone to the modem side of the facsimile communication apparatus,after which facsimile communication is carried out.

The aforementioned detection of the CNG signal is performed by using aband-pass filter to extract a frequency component of 1100 Hz from thesignal inputted by the line.

A problem is encountered in the prior art described above. Specifically,since the operation for sending the answer message is performed inparallel with the detection of the CNG signal and the level of theanswer message is higher than the level of the CNG signal, detection ofthe CNG signal by the above-mentioned band-pass filter is hindered andthe TEL/FAX automatic changeover function can operate erroneously.

In order to prevent this erroneous operation, an expedient is to set afixed silent period, which is for the purpose of preventing collisionwith the CNG signal, when the answer message is recorded. However, thesetting operation is a troublesome one.

Furthermore, in order to change over the CML relay 1 after the CNGsignal is confirmed, as mentioned above, the CNG signal is recorded morethan one time in the automatic answering telephone. Alternatively, sincedetection of the CNG signal cannot be performed well during transmissionof the answer message, as set forth above, there are cases where theoperation of the telephone mode proceeds and the operation for recordingthe message from the calling party by the automatic answering telephoneis initiated. In such case, the CNG signal sent in continuous fashionwill be recorded in the automatic answering telephone in the areathereof that is for recording the message from the calling party. If theCNG signal happens to be recorded in this manner and the owner of thefacsimile communication apparatus attempts to listen to the recordedcontents of a message from a calling party as by a remote controloperation from an outside telephone using DTMF or the like, the messagewhen played back will contain the CNG signal. Owing to the CNG signalplayed back in this manner, the TEL/FAX automatic changeover functionwill operate erroneously and the apparatus will be changed over to thefacsimile mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide afacsimile apparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, aswell as a communication method in this apparatus, in which detection ofa tone signal for TEL/FAX automatic changeover is capable of beingperformed properly irrespective of transmission of an answer message bythe automatic answering telephone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimileapparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, as well as acommunication method in this apparatus, in which no transition is madeto a facsimile reception operation if a remote-control signal, which isfor remote control of a communication terminal such as an automaticanswering-telephone, is detected.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimileapparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, as well as acommunication method in this apparatus, in which it is possible toprevent wasteful consumption of message recording capacity owing torecording of a tone signal for facsimile identification, as well aserroneous operation on the side of the facsimile apparatus due toplayback of a tone signal.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a facsimileapparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, as well as acommunication method in this apparatus, in which, when an automaticanswering telephone is made to perform remote playback, for example, itis possible to prevent a facsimile operation from being started by afacsimile-related signal contained in the reproduced sound.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimileapparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, as well as acommunication method in this apparatus, in which a tone signal isprevented from being recorded along with a message.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimileapparatus having an automatic answering telephone function, as well as acommunication method in this apparatus, in which a CNG signal can bedetected without affecting an answer message sent from the automaticanswering telephone.

According to the present invention, the foregoing objects are attainedby providing a facsimile apparatus to which a communication terminalwhich performs predetermined communication is capable of beingconnected, comprising first detecting means for detecting whether acalling party is a facsimile apparatus or not, second detecting meansfor detecting whether a received signal contains a control signal forcontrolling the communication terminal, control means for startingfacsimile communication in accordance with a detection signal from thefirst detecting means indicating that the calling party is a facsimileapparatus, and inhibiting means for inhibiting transition to facsimilecommunication when the control signal is detected by the seconddetecting means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function comprisesvoice-message storing means for storing a voice message inputted from aline, tone-signal detecting means for detecting a tone signal from theline, message erasing means for erasing the message stored in thevoice-message storing means, and control means for performing control insuch a manner that when the tone signal is detected by the tone-signaldetecting means after the voice-message storing means has started, themessage stored in the voice-message storing means_after thevoice-message storing means has started is erased, and then, when avoice message subsequently inputted is stored, this message is stored ina storage area that was just erased.

According to the present invention, the foregoing objects are attainedby providing a communication method in a facsimile apparatus with anautomatic answering telephone function, wherein the facsimile apparatusis connected to a line along with an automatic answering telephone andeither automatic voice communication by the automatic answeringtelephone or image communication at the time of an incoming call isselectively executed automatically, the method comprising a step ofconnecting the line to the automatic answering telephone or to imagecommunication means, a step of detecting a control signal specific toimage communication connected to a line on the side of the automaticanswering telephone, a step of starting recording when a signalindicative of start of recording of a calling party's message in theautomatic answering telephone is detected, and a step of sending a DTMFsignal to the automatic answering telephone when the control signal isdetected at the time of recording of the calling party's message.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of an NCU in thefacsimile apparatus of this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation performed by thefacsimile apparatus of this embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the construction of a modification ofthe NCU in the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a modification ofthe NCU in the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the construction of an NCU accordingto the prior art;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the construction of an NCU in thefacsimile apparatus of the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation performed by thefacsimile apparatus of the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automaticanswering telephone according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operation of the automatic answeringtelephone of the third embodiment when a message is received;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operation at playback of a recordedmessage in the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automaticanswering telephone according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing operation of the automatic answeringtelephone of the fourth embodiment when a message is received;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function according to afifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the construction of an NCU in thefacsimile apparatus of the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing operation of the facsimile apparatus ofthe fifth embodiment when an automatic answering telephone mode (AMmode) is in effect;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the construction of a line controllerof an NCU in the facsimile apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatusaccording to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a timing chart for describing incoming-call control in thefacsimile apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the principal components of afacsimile apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the control operation of a CPU when acall is received in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the principal components of afacsimile apparatus in a case where detection of a CNG signal isperformed by a modem in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a CPU in the caseof FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the principal components of afacsimile apparatus which is a modification wherein detection of the CNGsignal is performed by a modem in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of timing of the CNG signal;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1,the facsimile apparatus includes a controller 101 constituted by amicroprocessor or the like and comprising a CPU (central processingunit) 113, a ROM (read-only memory) 114, a RAM (random-access memory)115, a buffer memory 112, a line memory 110 and a coder/decoder 111. Thecontroller 101 controls image input/output and overall communicationprocessing, the ROM 114 stores a control program, described below, andthe RAM 115 is used as a working area of the CPU 113.

Input/output of image data is performed by a reader 100 and a recorder102. More specifically, the reading of image data indicative of anoriginal is performed by the reader 100, which comprises a CCD(charge-coupled device) sensor, an original conveying mechanism, etc.Data indicative of a received image or image data read by the reader 100when a copy is made are recorded by the recorder 102, which comprises athermosensitive printer, an ink-jet printer or the like.

The input/output of image data between the reader 100 and thecoder/decoder 111 as well as between the recorder 102 and thecoder/decoder is performed via the line memory 110, which stores data inunits of one line. The input/output of data between the coder/decoder111 and a modem 106 is performed via a buffer memory 112. Thecoder/decoder 111, which executes coding/decoding processing in order tosuppress redundancy, may be constituted by the software of the CPU 113.

The connection with a communication line N such as a telephone line andthe input and output of data are carried out by the modem 106 and an NCU(network control to unit) 107. A telephone for communication and manualcontrol or an automatic answering telephone 16 is connected to the NCU107. The NCU 107 outputs a DCDET signal which indicates that theautomatic answering telephone 16 has acquired a line, a CNGDET signalindicating that there is a CNG signal on the line, and a DTMFDET signalwhich indicates that there is a DTMF signal on the line. These signalsenter the controller 101.

A control panel 103 includes numeric keys for inputting a telephonenumber, and various function keys, etc. The control panel 103 isprovided with a display unit 104 used for displaying telephone numbers,time, etc.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the construction of the NCU 107 of thisembodiment. Portions corresponding to those in the conventional NCUshown in FIG. 6 are designated by like reference characters and need notbe described again.

In FIG. 2, numeral 1 denotes the CML relay and numeral 2 denotes acurrent sensor which comprises a coil and a Hall device or an MR deviceprovided in the proximity of the coil and insulated therefrom. Amagnetic field produced by a current passed through the coil is detectedby the Hall device or MR device, whereby a voltage output proportionalto the coil current is obtained. The output of the current sensor 2enters a comparator 3, from which the DCDET signal indicating whetherthere is a current is outputted. The DCDET signal is outputted to thecontroller 101.

The capacitor 5 blocks direct current, the transformer 7 transmits theCNG signal and DTFM signal to the CNG detector 7 and DTMF detector 8,respectively. The CNG detector 7 outputs the CNGDET signal to thecontroller 101 upon detecting the CNG signal. The DTMF detector 8outputs the DTMF detection DTMFDET signal to the controller 101 upondetecting the DTMF signal. Numeral 4 denotes a transformer fortransmitting a facsimile signal and performing a two-line/four-lineconversion.

Operation for remote reception in the foregoing arrangement will now bedescribed based upon the flowchart of FIG. 3. The control program run bythe controller 101 (CPU 113) to monitor control in accordance with theflowchart of FIG. 3 is stored in the ROM 114.

First, in the standby state, the controller 101 monitors the DCDETsignal. When the automatic answering telephone 16 automatically answersa call signal from the line, a direct current flows into the currentsensor 2 and the comparator 6 outputs the DCDET signal. Upon sensingthis signal, the controller 101 causes control program to proceed tostep S1. When the calling party does not causes the automatic answeringtelephone 16 to store a message, neither the CNG signal nor the DTMFsignal arrive and therefore the program proceeds to step S2 and then tostep S3. The DCDET signal is monitored at step S3. When a line currentis flowing, the program returns from step S3 to step S1, after which theloop of steps S1˜S3 is executed. When the line is cut, the systemreturns to the standby mode from step S3.

If the calling side is a facsimile machine, the CNG signal istransmitted and therefore this signal is detected at step S1, whence theprogram proceeds to step S5 in order that a facsimile operation isperformed. At this step the CML relay 1 is changed over from the a sideto the b side so that facsimile communication is performed.

When the calling side sends the DTMF signal in order to remotely controlthe automatic answering telephone 16, this is detected at step S2 andthe program proceeds to step S4. At this step, the code of the receivedDTMF signal is compared with a code, which has been stored beforehand inthe RAM 115, designating remote reception of the facsimile transmission.If these codes agree, the program proceeds to step S5 and the receptionoperation is carried out. If the codes do not agree, however, theprogram proceeds to step S7 since the received DTMF signal is forcontrolling the automatic answering telephone 16. Detection of the DTMFsignal and detection of current are performed by the loop consisting ofsteps S7˜S6. When the DTMF signal is received, the program proceeds tostep S4 again so that a check of remote reception is performed. When theDCDET signal is no longer detected and current is no longer detected atstep S7, the system returns to the standby state.

It should be noted that the code which designates remote reception isregistered (stored) in the RAM 115 by means similar to means forregistering telephone numbers that are for the purpose of automaticallydialing facsimile machines. Further, the facsimile operation is notlimited to a reception operation but can be any facsimile operation suchas transmission, copying, output of a communication management report,etc.

Thus, as described above, once the DTMF signal is detected, theprocessing of loops of steps S7˜S6 is executed. As a result, detectionof the CNG signal is not longer carried out and CNG signal detection isnot performed until the line is cut. Accordingly, even if the soundreproduced by the automatic answering telephone 16 contains the CNGsignal, there is no changeover to facsimile reception and the facsimilereception operation is not performed. Further, by having the userregister a code, which differs from the DTMF code for controlling theautomatic answering telephone 16, as a code for remote operation of thefacsimile, the facsimile can be remotely operated after remotelycontrolling the automatic answering telephone 16.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams illustrating the construction of theNCU 107 according to another embodiment. Portions corresponding to thoseshown in FIG. 2 are designated by like reference numerals and are notdescribed again.

In FIG. 4, only the AC component is extracted from the output of thecurrent sensor 2 via the capacitor 9, and the AC component is inputtedto the CNG detector 7 and DTMF detector 8. As a result, the capacitor 5and the transformer 6 in the arrangement of FIG. 2 are no longerrequired.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the NCU 107 in acase where CNG and DTMF are detected by the modem 106. A switch 10 isconnected to the reception input terminal of the modem 106 and ischanged over at a timing identical with that of the CML relay 1, wherebyinput of a facsimile signal or connection of the output from the currentsensor 2 can be selected. Thus, the CNG detector 7 and DTMF detector 8shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 can be eliminated.

In accordance with the first embodiment described above, when anautomatic answering telephone is made to perform remote playback, forexample, the starting of the facsimile operation can be prevented by afacsimile-related signal contained in the reproduced sound.

In the foregoing, a case has been described in which the CNG signal isdetected to make the automatic changeover between the automaticanswering telephone and facsimile communication. Next, however, a casewill be described in which the automatic changeover is made by detectingthe CNG signal and a silent state.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, inwhich the CNG signal and a silent state are detected. Portionsdesignated by numerals identical with those in FIG. 1 are the same asthose described in connection with FIG. 1 and these portions need not bedescribed again.

In FIG. 7, an NCU 107a is provided with a silent-state detecting circuit11, as shown in FIG. 8. The silent-state detecting circuit 11 detects asilent state by detecting the energy on the line and provides thecontroller 101 with a MUON signal indicative of detection of the silentstate. Numeral 116 denotes a timer to which time information from theCPU 113 is applied. At elapse of the stipulated time, the timer 116outputs a signal indicative of time expiration or the like to the CPU113, thereby notifying the CPU 113 of the fact that the time haselapsed.

Next, reference will be had to the flowchart of FIG. 9 to describe theautomatic changeover between the automatic answering telephone 16 andthe facsimile based upon detection of the CNG (CNGDET) signal and thesilent-state (MUON) signal. The flowchart of FIG. 9 illustrates thecontrol operation of the controller 101 (CPU 113) and the controlprocedure illustrated is stored in the ROM 114.

First, in the standby state, the controller 101 monitors the DCDETsignal. When the automatic answering telephone 16 automatically answersa call signal from the line, a direct current flows into the currentsensor 2 and the comparator 3 outputs the DCDET signal. Upon sensingthis signal, the controller 101 causes processing to enter a loop inwhich steps S11, S12, S13, S14 are executed followed by return to stepS11. When a line is connected and direct current is cut off in thisloop, a transition is made to the standby state from step S13.

If the calling party is a facsimile apparatus which transmits the CNGsignal, this is detected at step S11 and the program proceeds to stepS18. Here the CML relay 1 is changed over to the b side to start thefacsimile communication operation.

If the calling party is a facsimile apparatus which does not transmitthe CNG signal, the line attains the silent state and therefore theprogram proceeds from step S12 to step S17. Here the length of silenttime is judged using the timer 116. If the length of silent time isgreater than a predetermined time, then the program proceeds to stepS18, at which the facsimile operation is carried out. If the length ofsilent time is less than the predetermined time, on the other hand, theprogram proceeds to step S13.

In a case where the calling party is the user of the automatic answeringtelephone and sends the DTMF signal for remotely controlling theautomatic answering telephone 16, the DTMF signal is detected at stepS14, the program exits from the aforesaid loop and proceeds to step S15.Here the system waits for the line to be cut. When the line is cut, theprogram proceeds to step S16, at which the system returns to the standbystate.

In accordance with the operation described above, once the DTMF signalhas been detected, detection of the CNG signal and of the silent stateis no longer carried out. As a result, even if the silent state isattained during remote control of the automatic answering telephone 16,the facsimile operation is not carried out.

In accordance with the second embodiment, as described above, when anautomatic answering telephone is made to perform remote playback, forexample, erroneous operation of the facsimile due to such playback iscapable of being prevented.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a third embodiment of the presentinvention. This is a block diagram showing the construction of theautomatic answering telephone 16 depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 7. Theautomatic answering telephone 16, which uses a semiconductor memory asmeans for storing a voice message, is connected to an auxiliarytelephone 203 connected to the NCU 107 of the above-described facsimileapparatus.

In FIG. 10, relay contacts 201a, 201b are controlled by a controller209. The controller 209 detects that the telephone 203 is off the hook,and a Ci signal is detected by a Ci-signal detecting circuit 204,thereby starting the automatic answering telephone. The relay contacts201a, 201b are operatively associated. The relays are changed over insuch a manner that when the contact 201a is closed, the other contact201b is opened.

A ringer 202 issues a ringing tone based upon the Ci signal inputted viathe terminals T1, T2 (FIG. 2) of the NCU 107 and applied to the ringerfrom the line N via a rectifying circuit 213. Upon detecting an incomingcall based upon the Ci signal inputted from the line N via a rectifyingcircuit 214, the Ci-signal detecting circuit 204 so notifies thecontroller 209. A speech network 205 performs a two-line/four-lineconversion of sent and received signals. The tone detecting circuit 206detects a tone signal, such as the CNG signal (1100 Hz).

A decoder (DEC) 207 decodes an answer message or recorded message storedin a memory 210, converts the decoded message into an analog voicesignal and delivers the voice signal to a speaker 211. In order to storea received message in the memory 210, the encoder (ENC) 208 digitizesthe voice signal to convert it into a suitable code. The controller 209includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222 which stores the control program of theCPU 221 as well as various data, a RAM 223 used as a working area of theCPU 221, and a timer 224 which, in response to a command from the CPU221, measures time and notifies the CPU 221 of the measured time. Thecontroller 209 controls the entirety of the automatic answeringtelephone 16 in this embodiment. The memory 210 is a semiconductormemory for storing an answer message as well as messages from callingparties. The speaker 211, which is used when a message recorded in thememory 210 is played back, outputs the voice decoded by the decoder 207.Numeral 212 denotes a control panel having a variety of keys for variousoperations.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the automaticanswering telephone 16 when a message is received according to the thirdembodiment. The control program for executing this processing is storedin the ROM 222.

First, at step S21, the controller 209 performs monitoring to determinewhether the Ci signal has been detected by the Ci-signal detectingcircuit 204. When the Ci signal has been detected, the program proceedsto step S22, at which the relay contact 201b is closed to close the pathbetween the line from the NCU 107 and the auxiliary telephone 203. Next,the answer message that has been stored in the memory 210 is read outand sent to the decoder 207, the answer message is decoded by thedecoder 207 and subjected to a D/A conversion, and the audio of thevoice message is sent out on the line (step S23). An address is set tothe beginning of the blank portion of the recording area of memory 210,and the number of recorded messages stored in the controller 209 isincremented by one (step S24).

Next, the program proceeds to step S25, at which the message receivedfrom the calling party is A/D converted and encoded by the encoder 208and the encoded message is written in the memory 210 successivelystarting from the address of memory 210 set at step S24.

At the same time, it is determined at step S26 whether the CNG signalhas been detected by the tone detecting circuit 206. If the CNG signalhas not been detected, then the timer 224 determines at step S27 whethera predetermined period of time has elapsed. If the predetermined timehas not yet elapsed, the program returns to step S26 and monitoring fordetection of the CNG signal is performed while recording of the receivedmessage continues. In a case where the predetermined time elapseswithout the CNG signal being detected, the program proceeds to step S28,at which the relay contact 201b is opened to release the line N and endprocessing for receiving the message from the calling party.

On the other hand, in a case where the CNG signal is detected at stepS26, the program proceeds to step S29, at which the relay contact 201bis opened and the line N is released. The program then proceeds to stepS30, at which the message just recorded (actually the CNG signal) iserased from the memory 210. In this case, the controller 209 createsdata in which silence has been encoded by the encoder 208 and writesthis silence data on the message data just recorded in the memory 210.Thereafter, the controller 209 restores the address of the memory 210 tothe value set at step S24 and decrements by one the number of recordedmessages incremented at step S24 (step S31).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operation at playback of a recordedmessage according to the third embodiment.

First, at step S41, a key designating message playback is pressed on thecontrol panel 212. When this is done, the program proceeds to step S42,at which the number of playback messages is counted up. Before messageplayback is performed, the number of playback messages is "0". Next, theprogram proceeds to step S43, at which one message is read out of thememory 210, the message is converted into an analog voice signal by thedecoder 207 and the voice message is played back through the speaker211. The program then proceeds to step S44, at which the number ofplayback messages and the number of recordings are compared and it isdetermined whether they coincide. If the two do not coincide, theprogram returns to step S42 and the next message is played back. If thetwo do coincide, then the message playback operation is ended, thenumber of playback messages is returned to "0" and processing isterminated.

When a tone signal is detected in the third embodiment described above,the message just recorded is erased. Furthermore, the number of messagesis not to counted. However, it is permissible for the apparatus to beone having only one of these functions.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of an automaticanswering telephone according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.The automatic answering telephone of the fourth embodiment uses amagnetic tape recorder as the voice-message recording means. Instead ofbeing equipped with the decoder 207, encoder 208 and memory 210 of thethird embodiment, the automatic answering telephone of the fourthembodiment is provided with a drive unit 215, a recording unit 218 and aplayback unit 217 for recording messages on and playing them back from amagnetic tape 216. With the exception of the operation of the controller209, the other components are similar to those of the third embodimentand need not be described again.

The playback unit 217, which plays back a message that has been recordedon the magnetic tape 216, includes a playback head, an amplifier and thelike. The recording unit 218, which records a received message on themagnetic tape 216, includes a recording head. The drive unit 215 is forpaying out and rewinding the magnetic tape 216 and has a tape-reeldriving motor, a driver and the like.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation to of the automaticanswering telephone when a message is received according to the fourthembodiment. The control program for executing this processing is storedin a ROM 222a.

First, at step S51, the controller 209 performs monitoring to determinewhether the Ci signal has been detected by the Ci-signal detectingcircuit 204. When the Ci signal has been detected, the program proceedsto step S52, at which the relay contact 201b is closed to close the pathbetween the line N and the auxiliary telephone 203. The program thenproceeds to step S53, at which an answer message is sent out on the lineN. This is followed by step S54, at which the magnetic tape 216 is movedin such a manner that the magnetic head comes to be situated at thebeginning of the blank portion of the tape. In addition, the number ofrecordings stored in the controller 209 is incremented by one. Theprogram then proceeds to step S55, at which the message received fromthe calling party is sent to the recording unit 218 and the magnetictape 216 is moved by the driving unit 215 to record the message from thecalling party on the magnetic tape 216.

At the same time, it is determined at step S56 whether the CNG signalhas been detected by the tone detecting circuit 206. If the CNG signalhas not been detected, then the timer 224 determines at step S57 sowhether a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If the predeterminedtime has not yet elapsed, the program returns to step S56 and monitoringfor detection of the CNG signal is performed while recording of thereceived message continues. In a case where the predetermined timeelapses without the CNG signal being detected, the program proceeds tostep S58, at which the relay contact 201b is opened to release the lineN and end processing for receiving the message from the calling party.

On the other hand, in a case where the CNG signal is detected at stepS56, the program proceeds to step S59, at which the relay contact 201bis opened and the line N is released. Thereafter, the program proceedsto step S60, at which the magnetic tape 216 is rewound by the drivingunit 215 in such a manner that it will come to the position at which themagnetic head was set at step S54 (i.e., the message-recording startingposition based upon detection of the CNG signal, silence is recorded bythe recording unit 218 and the message just recorded (actually the CNGsignal) is erased. When the CNG signal has been erased completely, theprogram proceeds to step S61, at which the magnetic tape 216 is rewoundto the position set at step S54 and the number of recorded messagesincremented at step S54 is decremented by one.

Operation when a recorded message is played back is the same as in thethird embodiment and a description thereof is deleted. Further, in thefourth embodiment above, the arrangement is such that the message justrecorded is erased and the number of messages is not counted when thetone signal is detected. However, it is permissible for the apparatus tobe one having only one of these functions.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a facsimileapparatus equipped with an automatic answering telephone functionaccording to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Portions correspondingto those of the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment aredesignated by like reference numerals and need not be described again.

Shown in FIG. 15 are a hand set 122 for communication by voice, an NCU107a for connecting the line N to the telephone 122 or modem 106, aplayback unit 118 for playing back a message recorded on a magneticrecording medium 120, a recording unit 119 for recording a receivedmessage on the magnetic recording medium 120, and a driving unit 121 fordriving the magnetic recording medium 120. A controller 101a includes aCPU 113, a memory 117 having a ROM section storing a control program ofthe CPU 113 and a RAM section used as a working area, and a timer 116.Data indicating the number of recorded voice messages also are stored inthe RAM section of the memory 117.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the construction of the NCU 107a.

When Ci (the call signal) arrives, a Ci-signal detecting circuit 125sends a detection signal to the controller 101a. A CML relay 126 is arelay which performs changeover between the hand set 122 and thefacsimile side. A P relay 127 is a relay for generating a dial pulse,and an S relay 128 is a relay for suppressing a transient voltage changewhen a dial pulse is generated. A RET coil 129 is a coil for forming aDC loop. A hybrid transformer 130 is for interrupting the direct currentbetween the line side and the modem side. Analog switches 131a, 131bchange over the connections to the playback unit 118 and recording unit119, respectively. A tone detecting circuit 132 is for detecting signalsuch as the CNG signal.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the automatic answeringmode (AM mode) in a facsimile apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.The control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROMsection of the memory 117.

First, at step S71, it is determined whether the Ci signal has beendetected by the Ci-signal detecting circuit 125. When the Ci signal isnot detected, the system remains in the standby state. When the Cisignal is detected, the program proceeds to step S72, at which the CMLrelay 126 is changed over to the facsimile side (the side of terminalb). At this time the P relay 127 is closed and the S relay 128 isopened. Next, at step S73, it is determined whether the tone detectingcircuit is 132 has detected the CNG signal. At this time, an answermessage that has been stored in the memory 117 is sent simultaneously tothe line N through the modem 106. The CNG signal is monitored during theanswer message. When the CNG signal is detected at step S73, the programproceeds to step S82, at which processing for facsimile reception isperformed.

In a case where the CNG signal is not detected at step S73, the programproceeds to step S74, at which it is determined whether a predeterminedperiod of time has been measured by the timer 116. If the time has notexpired, the program returns to step S73 and the above-describedprocessing is executed. If the time is found to have expired at stepS73, the program proceeds to step S75, at which the switch 131b ischanged over so that the signal from the line N enters the recordingunit 119. The program then proceeds to step S76, at which recordingstarts and the number of recordings stored in the memory is incrementedby one.

Next, the program proceeds to step S77, at which detection of the CNGsignal is performed by the tone detecting circuit 132 while the messageis recorded by the recording unit 119. The program proceeds to step S80when the CNG signal is detected. When the CNG signal is not detected,the program proceeds to step S78, at which it is determined whether themessage has ended. A determination that the message has ended can bemade by detecting silence or by detection based upon loop current. Ifthe message is found to have ended at step S78, then the programproceeds to step S79, at which the line is opened and the system returnsto the standby state.

If the CNG signal is detected at step S77, the program proceeds to stepS80, at which recording is suspended and the message just recorded iserased. Then, at step S81, the magnetic tape (recording medium) 120 isrewound to the recording starting position of step S76 by the drivingunit 121, and the number of recordings incremented at step S76 isdecremented by one to be returned to the original value. Processing forfacsimile reception is then executed at step S82.

Operation when a recorded message is played back is the same as in thethird embodiment and a description thereof is deleted. Further, in thefifth embodiment above, the arrangement is such that when the tonesignal is detected, the message just recorded is erased, the nextmessage is recorded in the present recording area and the number ofmessages is decremented. However, it is permissible for the apparatus tobe one having only one of these functions.

In accordance with the fifth embodiment, as described above, even if theCNG signal has been recorded, this recorded CNG signal is erased whenthe CNG signal is detected during recording. As a result, the CNG signalis not played back. More specifically, when a tone signal from the lineis detected after the storage of a voice message has started in responseto an incoming call, the present voice message is erased without thenumber of messages being counted, and the storage of the next voicemessage is performed from the area at which storage of the present voicemessage started. As a result, it is possible to prevent a tone signalfrom remaining recorded in a state mixed with a message, wasteful use ofrecording capacity can be reduced and erroneous operation due toplayback of the tone signal can be prevented.

A sixth embodiment of the invention will now be described. In thisembodiment, an automatic answering telephone 311 is started by the Cisignal from the line N. If, when a received-message recording startsignal of the automatic answering telephone 311 is detected without itbeing possible to detect the CNG signal during playback of an answermessage, the CNG signal is detected after the detection of theabove-mentioned start signal, then remote control is performed in such amanner that a prescribed DTMF signal is transmitted from the facsimileapparatus and the automatic answering telephone 311 is remotelycontrolled, whereby the CNG signal is not recorded when the message fromthe calling party is recorded.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a facsimileapparatus according to the sixth embodiment. Portions corresponding tothose in the foregoing drawings are designated by like referencenumerals and need not be described again.

In FIG. 18, a CPU 301 controls the overall apparatus in accordance witha program stored in a ROM 302. A RAM 303, which is used as a workingarea for the CPU 301, temporarily stores a variety of data. Anon-volatile memory 304 is a memory such as a ROM or disk whichpreserves its contents even if the power supply of the facsimileapparatus is cut off. The modem 106 is constituted by, e.g., G3, G2, G1,FM modems in line with CCITT recommendations, and a clock generatingcircuit connected to these modems. Transmission data that has beenstored in the RAM 303 is modulated based upon control by the CPU 301 andthe modulated data are outputted to the telephone line N via an NCU 308.Further, the modem 106 inputs an analog signal from line N via the NCU308, demodulates this signal and stores the binarized data is the RAM303. The modem 106 is internally provided with a call-signal detectingcircuit which detects a call signal inputted from the line N. The NCU308 changes over and connects the line N to the modem 106 or automaticanswering telephone 311 based upon control executed by the CPU 301.

The facsimile apparatus provides a hand set 309 and it is possible toreserve a telephone call in a facsimile mode using the hand set 309.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a linecontroller of the NCU 308 in the facsimile apparatus according to thesixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, the line N is connected via a CML relay 312 toeither the line of the modem 106 of the facsimile apparatus of thisinvention, or the line of the automatic answering telephone 311.Connected to the line of the automatic answering telephone 311 is asensor 314a of an off-hook detecting circuit 314 which detects when theautomatic answering telephone 311 is taken off the hook. The off-hookdetecting circuit 314 is used in order to detect that the hand set ofthe automatic answering telephone 311 has been lifted by the operator,or whether the automatic answering telephone 311 is reliably respondingwhen the telephone 311 is started by a call signal from the line N.

A CNG-signal detecting circuit 313 is connected to the line of theautomatic answering telephone 311. The CNG-signal detecting circuit 313,which is for detecting a 1100 Hz CNG (facsimile call) signal specific tothe calling of a facsimile apparatus, comprises a frequencydiscriminating circuit such as an active filter or PLL circuit, and amodem, which is different from the modem 106, connected to the line onthe side of the automatic answering telephone 311. It should be notedthat the CNG-signal detecting circuit 313 may be constituted by a hybrid(audio) transformer and so adapted that an analog signal representingthe CNG signal is inputted to the modem 106, wherein the CNG signal isdetected by the modem 106. Further, detection of a received-messagerecording start signal of the automatic answering telephone 311 isperformed by inputting a signal to the modem 106 via the hybridtransformer 316 and detecting the received-message recording startsignal by the modem 106.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of the sixth embodimentconstructed as set forth above will be described with reference to FIGS.20 and 21. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the control program ofthe CPU 301 stored in the ROM 302, and FIGS. 21A, 21B are timing chartsfor describing incoming-call control.

Before the processing indicated in the flowchart of FIG. 20 starts, theuser first registers, as a software switch (a flag or the like set by apredetermined operation using the control panel 103) in the non-volatilememory 304, the fact that the automatic answering telephone 311 has beenconnected. The automatic answering telephone 311 also is set to theautomatic answering mode. In the standby state, the line N is connectedto the side of modem 106 by the CML relay 312.

First, at step S91, if the off-hook state is detected when there is anincoming call from the line N, the CPU 301 checks the above-mentionedsoftware switch of the non-volatile memory 304. If it is determined fromthe software switch that the automatic answering telephone 311 has beenconnected, the program proceeds to step S92. Here the line N isconnected to the line side of the automatic answering telephone 311 bythe CML relay 312 to input the call signal from the line N to theautomatic answering telephone 311, thereby starting the telephone 311.An answer from the automatic answering telephone 311 is detected by theoff-hook detecting circuit 314.

If the automatic answering telephone 311 answers, the program proceedsto step S93, at which the received-message recording start signal of theautomatic answering telephone 311 is monitored. The received-messagerecording start signal is an audible signal tone having a frequency onthe order of 1 kHz. The received-message recording start signal sentfrom the automatic answering telephone 311 is delivered from the hybridcircuit 316 to the modem 106 and is detected by a tonal signal detectionfunction.

At the same time, at step S94, detection of the CNG signal is performedby the CNG-signal detecting circuit 313 for a predetermined period oftime (e.g., 35 seconds, which is the initial identification time of afacsimile), decided by a timer operation at step S100, during the timethat the automatic answering telephone 311 is playing back an answermessage. In a case where the CNG signal has not been detected even whenthe predetermined time period elapses at step S100, the program proceedsto step S101, at which the automatic answering telephone 311 performsplayback of the answer message and records the message from the callingparty. Furthermore, at step S101, the CPU 301 monitors operation untilthe automatic answering telephone 311 attains the "on-hook" state.

Thus, in a case where the automatic answering telephone 311 has beenconnected, the automatic answering telephone 311 is connectedunconditionally after an incoming call is received, and therefore aconnection to the telephone 311 can be made without to giving theoperator on the sending side an odd impression.

If the CNG signal is detected at step S94, the program proceeds to step95, at which the line N is connected to the side of modem 106 by the CMLrelay 312 and a well-known facsimile reception processing is executed.At this time, the automatic answering telephone 313 is disconnected fromthe line N. As a result, after playback of the answer message, thestandby mode is promptly attained by detecting the silent state on theline.

In a case where a received-message recording start signal of theautomatic answering telephone is detected by the tonal signal detectingfunction of the modem 106 at step S93, the signal CNG cannot be detectedduring transmission of the answer message and the automatic answeringtelephone 311 makes a transition to recording of the message from thecalling party. Accordingly, at step S102, it is determined whether theCNG signal has been detected by the CNG-signal detecting circuit 313during recording of the received message. The detection of the CNGsignal is carried out for a predetermined period of time (the same as atstep S100) determined by a timer at step S103. If the CNG signal has notbeen detected for the predetermined time period, the program proceeds tostep S104, at which an automatic operation is performed for rewinding,by one recording, the recordings of messages received by the automaticanswering telephone 311, or for ignoring the message recordings.

The processing of step S104 will be described in greater detail. Aprescribed command of a remote function of the automatic answeringtelephone 311 is produced by the modem 106 under the control of the CPU301, and the command is sent to the automatic answering telephone 311via the hybrid circuit 316. The prescribed command comprises a DTMFsignal of a plurality of digits. As a result, after the automaticanswering telephone 311 rewinds the received messages by one message,the program proceeds to step S105, at which the CPU 301 monitorsoperation until the automatic answering telephone 311 attains the"on-hook" state.

If it is judged at step S102 that the CNG signal is present, then theprogram proceeds to step S106, at which the number of messages in theautomatic answering telephone 311 are rewound by one message, just as atstep S104. Next, the program proceeds to step S107, at which the line Nis connected to the side of modem 106 by the CML relay 312 andwell-known facsimile reception is carried out.

In a case where it is determined at step S91 that the software switchhas been set so as to indicate that the automatic answering telephone311 has not been connected, then the program proceeds to step S96, atwhich the status of an automatic/manual switch on the control panel forsetting an automatic/manual reception mode of facsimile reception isdetected, whereby a transition is made to the automatic reception modeor manual reception mode. More specifically, in a case where it has beenfound at step S96 that automatic reception has been set, the programproceeds to step S96, at which the call (CI) signal is detected by thecall-signal detecting circuit 315. A transition to the automaticreception mode is made (step S98) when the call signal is detected.

When it is found at step S96 that manual reception has not been set, theprogram proceeds to step S99, at which the system waits in the standbystate. Here a transition to the manual reception mode is made by takingthe telephone off the hook and pressing a start button.

Thus, according to the sixth embodiment, as described above, a callsignal from the line is sent directly to the automatic answeringtelephone 311 at the time of an incoming call, whereby the telephone 311is started first. As a result, the automatic answering telephone 311 canbe started more reliably in comparison with the case in which anautomatic answering telephone is started by the conventional pseudo-callsignal.

As shown in FIG. 21A, an answer message of 15˜30 sec is issued after astarting period t1 of the automatic answering telephone 311 in responseto a call signal from line N. After the answer message begins, is theCNG signal (1100 Hz) from the line is detected intermittently, asindicated at times D, for a period of 35 seconds, which is the initialidentification time of a facsimile. As a result, whether facsimilecommunication is to be carried out can be decided. It should be notedthat the time settings in FIG. 21A are indicative of an example only,for it is permissible to shorten the starting period of the automaticanswering telephone 311 and increase the number of CNG-detection times,as shown in FIG. 21B.

In accordance with the sixth embodiment, as described above, if the CNGsignal is received, the CNG relay 312 is turned on, a transition is madeto the facsimile procedure and the automatic answering telephone 311 iscut off from the line N. If there is no CNG signal, on the other hand,monitoring is performed until the automatic answering telephone 311 isturned off (hung up), the automatic answering telephone 311 startsrecording after the answer message is issued, and the telephone isturned off and the end of the recording. More specifically, the CNGsignal is used in identification of voice or image communication.Therefore, even if the other party is a telephone and a human being iscommunicating, the incoming call from the telephone can be identifiedand a connection made to the automatic answering telephone before theother party starts talking. This assures that the talker on the callingside will not experience anything unusual when making the call.

In a case where the calling party, who is in the process of recording amessage in the automatic answering telephone, inserts a DTMF signal inhis own message, the sixth embodiment described above functions in sucha manner that the incoming-call message is not recorded. Accordingly, atstep S104 or S106 in FIG. 20, an arrangement may be adopted in which theprescribed DTMF signal is sent from the facsimile apparatus to theautomatic answering telephone 311 so that an incoming message beingrecorded is disregarded.

A case will be considered in which it is so arranged that the CNG signalis detected by the facsimile apparatus when the automatic answeringtelephone 311 plays back an answer message in response to an incomingcall from the line. In a case where the CNG signal cannot be detectedduring playback of an answer message and a transition is made torecording of a received message, a prescribed DTMF signal is sent topromptly at step S106 if the CNG signal has been detected at step S102in FIG. 20. The automatic answering telephone 311 which has received theDTMF signal disregards the message being recorded. The recording of themessage being recorded is halted immediately and is not counted as anincoming message.

In the sixth embodiment, a case has been described in which a magnetictape is used as the voice message storing means. However, asemiconductor memory may be employed as in the third embodiment.

In accordance with the sixth embodiment, as described above, in afacsimile apparatus connected to a line together with an automaticanswering telephone, use is made of a remote function of the automaticanswering telephone to automatically control the automatic answeringtelephone by the DTMF signal from the facsimile apparatus. As a result,erroneous operation in the automatic answering telephone due to a tonesignal, recording or tone signal playback can be prevented withoutmodifying already existing hardware.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the general construction of an NCUline controller in a facsimile apparatus according to a seventhembodiment of the invention. Portions corresponding to those in FIG. 19showing the sixth embodiment are designated by like reference numerals.

In FIG. 22, numeral 312a denotes a CML relay, 312b denotes an H relayfor applying a voltage necessary for the automatic answering telephone311 to hold the line, 315 denotes the CI detecting (call-signaldetecting) circuit for detecting the call signal (CI), 316 denotes theaudio transformer, 317 denotes the hybrid transformer, and 400 denotes aCPU (constituted by a microcomputer, ROM and RAM, etc.) which controlsthe apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the control operation of the CPU 400for a case in which a call is received in the facsimile apparatus of theseventh embodiment.

The operation of this embodiment will be described in accordance withthe flowchart of FIG. 23.

First, at step S111, when the CI signal from line L1--L1 is detected bythe CI detecting circuit 15 to detect an incoming call, the programproceeds to step S112, at which it is determined whether the automaticanswering telephone 311 is off the hook. When the automatic answeringtelephone 311 is taken off the hook, the program proceeds to step S113,at which the facsimile apparatus detects the CNG signal using the CNGdetecting circuit 315. If the CNG signal cannot be detected apredetermined number of times n (n≧1) at step S113, the program proceedsto step S114, at which detection of the CNG signal is continued untilthe automatic answering telephone 311 is hung up. In a case where theCNG signal is capable of being detected the predetermined number oftimes n (n≧1), the program proceeds to step S115. Here the CML relay312a and the H relay 312b are changed over to the a-b, a-b sides,respectively, so that timekeeping by the timer 116 is started. FIG. 27is a diagram showing the timing of the CNG signal.

Next, the program proceeds to step S117, at which a frequency detectingcircuit contained in the modem 106 is used to determine whether the CNGsignal has been detected a predetermined number of times i (i≧1). In acase where the CNG signal is capable of being detected the predeterminednumber of times i (i≧1), it is judged that the CNG signal is being sentfrom the facsimile apparatus and the program proceeds to step S118, atwhich the facsimile reception operation is started.

If, at step S119, the CNG signal has not been detected the predeterminednumber of times i (i>1), then the program proceeds to step S120. Herethe CML relay 312a and the H relay 312b are changed over to the A-B, A-Bsides, respectively, so that a return is effected to the operation ofthe automatic answering telephone 311 at step S121.

In the above-described embodiment, detection of the CNG signal using theCNG detecting circuit 313 is capable of being carried out by the modem106 as well. An arrangement for such a case is as shown in FIG. 24.

In FIG. 24, numeral 411 denotes an amplifier, and number 412 designatesa CNG relay for changing over the path through which the CNG isdetected. Control of the CNG relay 412 is such that changeover is to thea side at step S115 and to the A side at step S120 in the flowchart ofFIG. 23.

The CNG relay 412 of FIG. 24 may be constituted by an analog switch SWor the like.

Further, the steps S112, S113 in the flowchart of FIG. 23 may bearranged as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25.

In FIG. 25, timekeeping by the timer 116 is started at step S131 inorder to measure a predetermined time period T2 in a case where theautomatic answering telephone 311 has been taken off the hook at stepS112. The CNG signal is then detected at step S113. In a case where theCNG signal cannot be detected the predetermined number of times n (n≧1),the program proceeds to step S132, at which it is determined whether thepredetermined time period T2 has ended. If the predetermined time periodT2 has not elapsed, the program proceeds to step S135, at which it isdetermined whether the automatic answering telephone 311 is on the hook.If the automatic answering telephone is on the hook, the program returnsto step S113 and detection of the CNG signal is carried out. If thetelephone is found to be off the hook at step S135, the program returnsto standby (S111).

If the predetermined time period T2 elapses at step S132, the programproceeds to step S133, where the detection of the CNG signal is halted.Thereafter, the program proceeds to step S134, at which the system waitsfor the automatic answering telephone 311 to be hung up.

It is possible to eliminate the means, such as the CNG relay 412, whichchanges over the CNG detection path in FIG. 24. An example of such anarrangement is illustrated in FIG. 26.

In the foregoing embodiment, the determination as to whether the calleditem is the facsimile or the telephone is made based upon the CNGsignal. However, an arrangement may be adopted in which an FC signal(1300 Hz), which is a call signal from a facsimile network, also isdetected.

In accordance with the seventh embodiment, as described above, the lineis changed over to the facsimile side after detection of the CNG signalhas been performed a predetermined number of times n (n≧1). Thereafter,when detection of CNG has been performed a predetermined number of timesi (i≧1), the facsimile reception operation is started. When thedetection of CNG has not been performed the predetermined number oftimes i (i≧1), the line is returned to the automatic answering telephone311. As a result, a smoother changeover between the automatic answeringtelephone 311 and the facsimile can be carried out and the performanceof a man-machine interface can be improved.

A facsimile apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the inventionwill now be described with reference to FIG. 28. In this embodiment, afilter for removing the signal band of a signal corresponding to a tonesignal is provided, the CNG is prevented from being stored in theautomatic answering telephone.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the general construction of thefacsimile apparatus according to the eighth embodiment. Portionscorresponding to those in the foregoing drawings are designated by likereference numerals and need not be described again.

A facsimile apparatus 500 according to this embodiment is equipped witha changeover circuit 502, an NCU 107, an 1100 Hz removing circuit 504, asignal accepting unit 505, a CNG detecting circuit 313, and a connectionterminal unit 507, etc. The automatic answering telephone 311, which isequipped with an OGM, is connected to the connection terminal unit 507.

The changeover circuit (CML relay) 502 selectively changes the telephoneline N over to the side of the NCU 107 or the side of the 1100 Hzremoving circuit 504 of the facsimile apparatus 500. The NCU 107connects the line N to the modem 106 via the changeover circuit 502 inresponse to changeover of the CML relay. The 1100 Hz removing circuit504 eliminates the 1100 Hz frequency components from an OGM signal sentfrom the automatic answering telephone 311 to the line N via theconnection terminal unit 507. The signal accepting unit 505, which islocated on the input side of the 1100 Hz removing circuit 504, receivesthe signal from the line N as an input and outputs this signal to theCNG detecting circuit 313. The latter detects the 1100 Hz signal fromthe line N, regarding this signal as the CNG signal.

In the ordinary-state, such as the standby state, the changeover circuit502 connects the line N to the 1100 Hz removing circuit 504. As aresult, the line N ordinarily is connected to the signal accepting unit505 and the terminal connection unit 507 via the 1100 Hz removingcircuit 504, and the line is connected to the automatic answeringtelephone 311 by the connection terminal unit 507.

The CPU 501 is constituted by a microprocessor or the like and controlsthe overall facsimile apparatus in accordance with a program stored in aROM 512. A RAM 513 stores binarized image data read by the reader 100,binarized image data recorded by the recorder 102, binarized image datafor transmission modulated by the modem 106, and binarized image datareceived from the outside and demodulated by the modem 106. A CG(character generator) 515, which is a ROM for storing character patternssuch as JIS codes and ACSII codes, outputs pattern data corresponding toa prescribed character code by being controlled by the CPU 501. Numeral519 denotes a power supply for supplying power not only to thecomponents of the apparatus 500 but also to the automatic answeringtelephone 311.

Operation will now be described in detail.

First, in the ordinary state, the line N is connected to the automaticanswering telephone 311 through the 1100 Hz removing circuit 504 and theterminal connection unit 507. The CI signal is applied to the automaticanswering telephone 311 from the line N. When the CI signal is appliedgreater than a predetermined number of times, the automatic answeringtelephone 311 starts, the line N is acquired and the call isestablished. As a result, the OGM signal is outputted from the automaticanswering telephone 311 to the line N and is transmitted to the callingparty. After transmission, a transition is made to operation forrecording the message from the calling party. Accordingly, in a casewhere the calling party is a person and not a facsimile apparatus, anordinary automatic answering operation is performed. The standby stateis restored when the call ends.

In a case where the calling party is a facsimile apparatus, the callingfacsimile apparatus transmits the CNG signal upon detecting the factthat the automatic answering telephone 311 has acquired the line N. Atthis time the automatic answering telephone 311 is outputting the OGMsignal, and therefore a collision with the CNG signal results on theline N. However, since the OGM signal is outputted to the line N throughthe 1100 Hz removing circuit 504, the 1100 Hz components are removed.

Accordingly, the CNG signal from the calling apparatus is not interferedwith by the OGM signal and is inputted to the CNG detecting circuit 313from the signal accepting unit 505 via the changeover circuit 502. As aresult, the CNG detecting circuit 313 is capable of detecting the CNGsignal in appropriate fashion. Owing to detection of the CNG signal, thechangeover circuit 502 changes the line N over to the NCU 7 and the lineN is connected to the modem 106 via the NCU 107.

At the moment the changeover circuit 502 is changed over to the NCU 107,recording by the automatic answering telephone 311 stops and theoriginal state is restored. When facsimile communication with thecalling apparatus ends, the changeover circuit 502 is changed over tothe side of the 1100 Hz removing circuit 504 and the standby state isrestored.

In the foregoing operation, an arrangement is described in which theautomatic answering telephone 311 is externally attached via theconnection terminal unit 507. However, the present invention is capableof being similarly applied also to a facsimile apparatus having aninternal automatic answering telephone function.

Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the 1100 Hz components of the OGMsignal are removed using the 1100 Hz removing circuit 504. However, thiscircuit may be adapted to remove any frequency components. In addition,the CNG signal detecting circuit 313 may be constituted by a filterwhich detects the frequency components of the CNG signal.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the general construction of afacsimile apparatus 520 according to a ninth embodiment of the inventionPortions corresponding to those in the foregoing drawings are designatedby like reference numerals and need not be described again.

The facsimile apparatus 520 of this embodiment is internally providedwith an arrangement for transmitting OGM, namely an OGM generator 621,an OGM transmitter 622, an inverter 623 and an adder 624, as theautomatic answering telephone. The changeover circuit 502 operates so asto selectively connect the line N to the side of the NCU 107 or the sideof an auxiliary telephone 630. The NCU 107 operates in such a mannerthat the line N is selectively connected to the OGM transmitter 622 andto the side of the signal accepting unit 505 or the side of the modem106 by control of the CML relay.

More specifically, when there is an incoming call in the automaticanswering mode, the OGM signal generated by the OGM generator 621 issent from the OGM transmitter 622 to the line N via the NCU 107 andchangeover circuit 502. When the CNG signal is detected by the signalaccepting unit 505, the line N is changed over to the side of modem 106by the NCU 107 and the facsimile communication operation is carried out.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the detection of the CNG signalfrom being interfered with by the OGM signal, the OGM signal is invertedby the inverter 623, the inverted signal and the input signal from thesignal accepting unit 505 are added and the result is supplied to theCNG detecting circuit 313. As a result, the OGM signal transmitted tothe line N and superimposed on the CNG signal can be canceled by theinverted signal and only the necessary CNG signal is capable of beinginputted to the CNG detecting circuit 313.

In order to executed the above-described processing, the inverter 623reverses the polarity of the OGM signal outputted by the OGM generator621 and outputs the inverted signal to the adder 624. The adder 624 addsthe signal from the inverter 623 and the signal from the signalaccepting unit 505 and sends the CNG detecting circuit 313 the resultingsignal, in which the component of the OGM signal has been canceled. TheCNG signal can thus be detected without any hindrance owing to the OGMsignal.

In this embodiment, the inverter 623 and the adder 624 are providedseparately. However, the inversion and addition can be accomplished by asingle unit using an operational amplifier or the like. Further, anarrangement can be adopted in which the automatic answering telephone311 equipped with the OGM of the eighth embodiment is connected insteadof the auxiliary telephone 630 and the OGM signal generated by theautomatic answering telephone 311 is inverted and added to the inputsignal from the line N.

In the foregoing embodiments, frequency detection is possible dependingupon the modem used. In such case, therefore, it is possible to applythe output of the adder 624 to the modem 106 directly to detect the CNGsignal without using the CNG detecting circuit 313.

In accordance with the eighth and ninth embodiment, as described above,detection of a tone signal for automatic TEL/FAX changeover can bedetected properly without influence from transmission of an answermessage by an automatic answering telephone. This makes it possible toeliminate the trouble involved in setting a silent state when recordingan answer message.

Further, the recording of an unnecessary tone signal by the automaticanswering telephone is eliminated, and when it is attempted to listen tothe content of a recording by a remote operation from outside the homeor office, an inconvenience in which the apparatus operates erroneouslyowing to playback of the tone signal can be eliminated.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facsimile apparatus with an automatic answeringtelephone function, wherein said facsimile apparatus is connected to aline along with an automatic answering telephone and either automaticvoice communication by the automatic answering telephones or imagecommunication at the time of an incoming call is selectively executedautomatically, said apparatus comprising:image communication means forcommunicating image data; line control means for connecting the line tothe automatic answering telephone or to said image communication means;control signal detecting means for detecting a control signal specificto image communication connected to a line on the side of the automaticanswering telephone; recording-start detecting means for detecting asignal indicative of start of recording of a calling party's message inthe automatic answering telephone; and DTMF sending means for sending aDTMF signal from said image communication means, the automatic answeringtelephone being controlled automatically by the DTMF signal sent fromsaid image communication means.
 2. A facsimile apparatus with anautomatic answering telephone function, to which an automatic answeringtelephone is capable of being connected, comprising:detecting means fordetecting an identification signal indicative of facsimilecommunication; changeover means for changing over a line from the sideof the automatic answering telephone to facsimile communication in acase where said detecting means detects the identification signal; andcontrol means for judging whether or not the identification signal isdetected by said detecting means after the line has been changed over tothe side of facsimile communication by said changeover means, and forstarting facsimile communication in accordance with the detection of theidentification signal.
 3. A facsimile apparatus with an automaticanswering telephone function, to which an automatic answering telephoneis capable of being connected, comprising:detecting means for detectingan identification signal indicative of facsimile communication;changeover means for changing over a line from the side of the automaticanswering telephone to facsimile communication in a case where saiddetecting means detects the identification signal; and control means forjudging whether or not another identification signal is detected by saiddetecting means after the line has been changed over to the side offacsimile communication by said changeover means, and for changing overthe line to the side of the automatic answering telephone in a casewhere the other identification signal is not detected.
 4. A facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, to which anautomatic answering telephone is capable of being connected,comprising:detecting means for detecting an identification signalindicative of facsimile communication; changeover means for changingover a line from the side of the automatic answering telephone tofacsimile communication in a case where said detecting means detects theidentification signal; and control means for judging whether or notanother identification signal is detected by said detecting means withina predetermined period of time after the line has been changed over tothe side of facsimile communication by said changeover means, and forstarting facsimile communication in accordance with a detection of theother identification signal.
 5. A facsimile apparatus with an automaticanswering telephone function, to which an automatic answering telephoneis capable of being connected, comprising:detecting means for detectinga call signal from a facsimile communication network; changeover meansfor changing over a line from the side of the automatic answeringtelephone to facsimile communication in a case where said detectingmeans detects the call signal; and control means for fudging whether ornot another call signal is detected by said detecting means after theline has been changed over to the side of facsimile communication bysaid changeover means, and for starting facsimile communication inaccordance with a detection of the other call signal.
 6. A facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, to which anautomatic answering telephone is capable of being connected,comprising:detecting means for detecting a signal transmitted from afacsimile apparatus on a calling sides changeover means for changingover a line from the side of the automatic answering telephone tofacsimile communication in a case where said detecting means detects thesignal; and control means for judging whether or not another signaltransmitted from a facsimile apparatus on a calling side is detected bysaid detecting means after the line has been changed over to the side offacsimile communication by said changeover means, and for startingfacsimile communication in accordance with a detection of the othersignal.
 7. A facsimile apparatus equipped with an automatic answeringtelephone function, comprising:starting means for starting an automaticanswering telephone in a case where there is an incoming call from aline when an automatic answering mode is in effect; changeover means fordetecting a specific tone signal from the line and performing anautomatic changeover from a telephone mode to a facsimile mode when thetone signal is detected; and filter means for removing a band component,which corresponds to the tone signal, from an answer message generatedin said automatic answering telephone.
 8. A facsimile apparatus equippedwith an automatic answering telephone function, comprising:startingmeans for starting an automatic answering telephone in a case wherethere is an incoming call from a line when an automatic answering modeis in effect; changeover means for detecting a specific tone signal fromthe line and performing an automatic changeover from a telephone mode toa facsimile mode when the tone signal is detected; and means forgenerating an inverted signal of an answer message generated in saidautomatic answering telephone, adding the inverted signal to a signalaccepted from the line, and supplying a signal resulting from theaddition to a circuit for detecting the tone signal.
 9. A method for afacsimile apparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, thefacsimile apparatus having image communication means for communicatingimage data, wherein the facsimile apparatus is connected to a line alongwith an automatic answering telephone and either automatic voicecommunications by the automatic answering telephone, or imagecommunication at the time of an incoming call is selectively executedautomatically, said method comprising the steps of:connecting the lineto the automatic answering telephone or to the image communicationmeans; detecting a control signal specific to image communicationconnected to a line on the side of the automatic answering telephone;starting recording when a signal indicative of start of recording of acalling party's message in the automatic answering telephone isdetected; and sending a DTMF signal to the automatic answering telephonewhen the control signal is detected at the time of recording of thecalling party's message.
 10. A data communication apparatus with anautomatic answering telephone function, to which an automatic answeringtelephone is capable of being connected, for selectively performing anautomatic answering telephone operation or data communication,comprising:a data communication unit for communicating data; detectingmeans for detecting an identification signal indicating datacommunication; switching means for selectively connecting a line to oneof said data communication unit and the automatic answering telephoneunit; and control means (1) for determining whether or not theidentification signal is detected by said detecting means in a casewhere the line has been connected to the automatic answering telephoneunit, (2) for causing said switching means to switch the line from theautomatic answering telephone unit to said data communication unit in acase where the identification signal is detected by said detectingmeans, and (3) for causing said data communication unit to perform thedata communication in a case where the identification signal is detectedby said detecting means after switching the line to said datacommunication unit.
 11. A data communication apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein said control means causes said switching means toswitch the line from said data communication unit to the automaticanswering telephone unit in a case where the identification signal isnot detected after switching the line from the automatic answeringtelephone unit to said data communication unit.
 12. A data communicationapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control means determineswhether or not the identification signal has been detected within apredetermined period of time after switching the line from the automaticanswering telephone unit to said data communication unit.
 13. A datacommunication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein theidentification signal is a call from a data communication network.
 14. Adata communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein theidentification signal is a signal transmitted from a data communicationapparatus on a calling side.
 15. A method for a facsimile apparatus withan automatic answering telephone function, to which an automaticanswering telephone is capable of being connected, said methodcomprising the steps of:detecting an identification signal indicative offacsimile communication; changing over a line from the side of theautomatic answering telephone to facsimile communication in a case wherethe identification signal is detected; judging whether or not theidentification signal is detected after the line has been changed overto the side of facsimile communication; and starting facsimilecommunication in accordance with the detection of the identificationsignal.
 16. A method for a facsimile apparatus with an automaticanswering telephone function, to which an automatic answering telephoneis capable of being connected, said method comprising the stepsof:detecting an identification signal indicative of facsimilecommunication; changing over a line from the side of the automaticanswering telephone to facsimile communication in a case where theidentification signal is detected; judging whether or not anotheridentification signal is detected after the line has been changed overto the side of facsimile communication; and changing over the line tothe side of the automatic answering telephone in a case where the otheridentification signal is not detected in said judging step.
 17. A methodfor a facsimile apparatus with an automatic answering telephonefunction, to which an automatic answering telephone is capable of beingconnected, said method comprising the steps of:detecting anidentification signal indicative of facsimile communication; changingover a line from the side of the automatic answering telephone tofacsimile communication in a case where the identification signal isdetected; judging whether or not another identification signal isdetected within a predetermined period of time after the line has beenchanged over to the side of facsimile communication; and startingfacsimile communication in accordance with a detection of the otheridentification signal in said judging step.
 18. A method for a facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, to which anautomatic answering telephone is capable of being connected, said methodcomprising the steps of:detecting a call signal from a facsimilecommunication network; changing over a line from the side of theautomatic answering telephone to facsimile communication in a case wherethe call signal is detected; judging whether or not another call signalis detected after the line has been changed over to the side offacsimile communication; and starting facsimile communication inaccordance with a detection of the other call signal in said judgingstep.
 19. A method for a facsimile apparatus with an automatic answeringtelephone function, to which an automatic answering telephone is capableof being connected, said method comprising the steps of:detecting asignal transmitted from a facsimile apparatus on a calling side;changing over a line from the side of the automatic answering telephoneto facsimile communication in a case where the signal is detected;judging whether or not another signal transmitted from a facsimileapparatus on a calling side is detected after the line has been changedover to the side of facsimile communication; and starting facsimilecommunication in accordance with a detection of the other signal in saidjudging step.
 20. A method for a data communication apparatus with anautomatic answering telephone function, to which an automatic answeringtelephone is capable of being connected, the data communicationapparatus having a data communication unit, the data communicationapparatus for selectively performing an automatic answering telephoneoperation or data communication, said method comprising the stepsof:detecting an identification signal indicating data communication;selectively connecting a line to one of the data communication unit andthe automatic answering telephone unit; determining whether or not theidentification signal is detected in a case where the line has beenconnected to the automatic answering telephone unit; causing the line tobe switched from the automatic answering telephone unit to the datacommunication unit in a case where the identification signal has beendetected; causing the data communication unit to perform the datacommunication in a case where the identification signal is detectedafter switching the line to the data communication unit.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 20, wherein the line is switched from the datacommunication unit to the automatic answering telephone unit in a casewhere the identification signal is not detected after switching the linefrom the automatic answering telephone unit to the data communicationunit.
 22. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step ofdetermining whether or not the identification signal has been detectedwithin a predetermined period of time after switching the line from theautomatic answering telephone unit to the data communication unit.
 23. Amethod according to claim 20, wherein the identification signal is acall from a data communication network.
 24. A method according to claim20, wherein the identification signal is a signal transmitted from adata communication apparatus on a calling side.
 25. A facsimileapparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, to which anautomatic answering telephone is capable of being connected,comprising:detecting means for detecting an identification signalindicative of facsimile communication; changeover means for changingover a line from the side of the automatic answering telephone tofacsimile communication in a case where said detecting means detects theidentification signal; and control means for judging again whether ornot the identification signal is detected by said detecting means afterthe line has been changed over to the side of facsimile communication bysaid changeover means, and for changing over the line to the side of theautomatic answering telephone in a case where the identification signalis not detected again.
 26. A facsimile apparatus with an automaticanswering telephone function, to which an automatic answering telephoneis capable of being connected, comprising:detecting means for detectingan identification signal indicative of facsimile communication;changeover means for changing over a line from the side of the automaticanswering telephone to facsimile communication in a case where saiddetecting means detects the identification signal; and control means forjudging again whether or not the identification signal is detected bysaid detecting means within a predetermined period of time after theline has been changed over to the side of facsimile communication bysaid changeover means, and for starting facsimile communication inaccordance with a detection of the identification signal.
 27. Afacsimile apparatus with an automatic answering telephone function, towhich an automatic answering telephone is capable of being connected,comprising:detecting means for detecting a call signal from a facsimilecommunication network; changeover means for changing over a line fromthe side of the automatic answering telephone to facsimile communicationin a case where said detecting means detects the call signal; andcontrol means for judging again whether or not the call signal isdetected by said detecting means after the line has been changed over tothe side of facsimile communication by said changeover means, and forstarting facsimile communication in accordance with a detection of thethe call signal.
 28. A facsimile apparatus with an automatic answeringtelephone function, to which an automatic answering telephone is capableof being connected, comprising:detecting means for detecting a signaltransmitted from a facsimile apparatus on a calling side; changeovermeans for changing over a line from the side of the automatic answeringtelephone to facsimile communication in a case where said detectingmeans detects the signal; and control means for judging again whether ornot the signal transmitted from a facsimile apparatus on a calling sideis detected by said detecting means after the line has been changed overto the side of facsimile communication by said changeover means, and forstarting facsimile communication in accordance with a detection of thethe signal.